As Dancing with the Stars prepares to unveil its Season 33 cast, speculation is running wild about which celebrities will lace up their ballroom shoes. Rather than rehash the same tired names, we've assembled a wish list of six women from comedy, music, food media, and classic television who each bring something genuinely compelling to the dance floor—and the voting public.
1. Tiffany Haddish
Haddish doesn't just bring energy; she brings fearless energy. The Grammy-winning comedian got her start performing at the Laugh Factory and has built a career on committing fully to the bit, no matter how ridiculous. That willingness to look silly while working hard is exactly what DWTS rewards. Her social media dance videos already prove she can move, but it's her unshakable confidence and infectious joy that would make her a true contender—and probably the season's most quotable contestant.
2. Christina Milian
Before she was an R&B star, Milian was a dancer and choreographer. That pre-fame training gives her a legitimate edge that most singer-contestants don't have: she understands movement, timing, and how to sell a routine to an audience. Add in her natural screen presence and two decades of performing experience, and Milian has all the ingredients of a finalist.
3. Lacey Chabert
Best known for Party of Five and Mean Girls, Chabert has spent decades building one of the most loyal fanbases in television—largely through her extensive Hallmark Channel filmography. More importantly, her precise, expressive acting style suggests she'd bring genuine storytelling to her routines. In a competition often decided by emotional connection rather than perfect technique, that ability to make viewers feel something could carry her surprisingly far.
4. Padma Lakshmi
The Top Chef host and author isn't just a food-world icon—she's a trained dancer. Lakshmi studied Bharatanatyam, a rigorous classical Indian dance form, throughout her childhood, and in 2023 she performed a Bollywood routine on Top Chef. That formal training, combined with her natural elegance and competitive drive, would make her a standout. She's also spoken openly about using her platform to celebrate South Asian culture, suggesting we might see genuinely fresh choreography on the DWTS stage.
5. Keshia Knight Pulliam
America has loved Pulliam since she was Rudy Huxtable on The Cosby Show, but her most relevant credential for DWTS came in 2019: she won Celebrity Big Brother. That victory proved she knows how to strategize, survive grueling schedules, and—crucially—rally public support when it matters. Her warm personality and quick wit would make her a joy to watch, and her competitive track record suggests she'd take the ballroom far more seriously than viewers might expect.
6. Ali Wong
Wong's comedy is aggressively physical—just watch her stalk the stage in Baby Cobra or Don Wong—and that theatricality comes from real training. She studied theater at UCLA and knows how to perform with her entire body, not just her voice. Her bold, unapologetic style would translate beautifully to the drama of ballroom dancing, and her between-rehearsal commentary would almost certainly be the funniest material of the season.
Cast Your Vote
Who would you most like to see on Dancing with the Stars Season 33?
- Tiffany Haddish
- Christina Milian
- Lacey Chabert
- Padma Lakshmi
- Keshia Knight Pulliam
- Ali Wong
Tell us your pick—and who we missed—in the comments below.
